Regular TVs have remote controls, while XBMC makes use of any device in your house as a remote control. So, which extensions do you need to install to turn your Chromebook into another fantastic remote for XBMC?

Also note that all of these tools are available within any Chrome browser, so people running Chrome on other laptops and tablets can make use of these ideas and extensions just as easily as Chromebook users. Here’s your guide to the best XBMC tools you can use in Chrome.

XBMC Remote Control

The XBMC Remote Control is the standard remote control for XBMC, as seen in many XBMC remote control apps for a variety of devices. Which is great because all your basic XBMC controls are handy and easy to use, right in Chrome. You can even pop out the remote to a new window.

Play To XBMC

The Play to XBMC remote is another simple way to access your XBMC install. It’s a very simple set of control buttons, but it also has a way to add to playlists and create a favourites list. These, I find, are really handy when you’ve got little kids. It’s nice to be able to play something quickly on occasion. It’s also useful for sending YouTube videos straight to XBMC, as detailed below.

Control XBMC With Browser URL

Then in Chrome go to your XBMC IP address with the port after a colon, like this:http://192.168.4.18:8080/

If your addons have web interfaces enabled, you can also access your addons this way using this format:http://192.168.4.18:8080/addons/

Why use the web interface? Well, for starters it’s an easy way to browse your collection – far more accessible than using the basic XBMC remotes you find for Android, or the various iPad and iPhone XBMC remotes. Personally, I like to use the web interface to check if the fan art is there, then upload to tvdb.com so that everyone can benefit from the art.